
Why We Ride
It all started with a Drag Queen and a book.
In 2019 the City of Chula Vista joined cities all over San Diego in introducing a Drag Queen Story time.
The library at Otay Ranch Town center was to be the site of the story time, but news quickly spread amongst the community and attracted the attention of groups outside San Diego that came to protest alongside anti-lgbtq+ groups. The community rallied together with Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Padilla and Mayor Mary Salas, and created a large demonstration of solidarity to counter the efforts made to divide our community.
in 2020, with Covid canceling most Pride events, local activist and community member Madison Beck felt there needed to be some demonstration of solidarity with Southbay Rainbow families to continue the healing. She reached out to a local powerhouse, Patti, who connected her with our Executive Director Nadia Kean-Ayub, and thus the concept of the Rainbow Ride was born.
Originally dubbed the Chula Vista Caravan, and with Councilmember Padilla as the parade Marshall, the community rode through the streets of Southbay with Pride!
and in 2021 they celebrated again, with more vigor and love, centering the community and with the community at the helm!
The Southbay Rainbow Ride will continue annually, in a demonstration of love and solidarity, to remind every LGBTQ+ youth and family in the Southbay that they are loved.
Saturday October 8th, 2022
Caravan- Chula Vista Center 10-11 am
Festival- Otay Ranch Town Center 12-4pm
Dungeons & Dragons, Comic artist meet and greet, inclusive reading time, and more. Join us Saturday October 8th as we spread color across South County.
Decorate your car and start line up at 10am, with start time at 11am at the Chula Vista Center (555 Broadway, CV, 91910. The caravan will travel eastbound on East H st to the Otay Ranch Town Center, where our 1st Rainbow Ride festival will take place, with plenty of fun things for the kids! Come join us this year as we spread inclusivity and fun.

Our Previous Rainbow Ride Sponsors
Inclusive and supportive